CONTINUING IN THE GRACE OF GOD.......

Have you ever heard anyone say ….. “Continue in the GRACE of God?” It’s unlikely you have, but it was a powerful admonishment given by Paul and Barnabas to some Jews and devout converts to Judaism in Antioch in Pisidia, now known as Turkey.

Continuing in the Grace of God was a message of forgiveness of sins and freedom from guilt that the religious leaders could not receive because it released people from the bondage of trying to keep the law. They were jealous of the freedom that Paul and Barnabas had and consequently attempted to shut them down everywhere they went. The religious leaders were clinging to their set of rules in order to make themselves feel acceptable before God and pious before man.

But, Paul was saying, having faith in Christ would forgive their sin and make them righteous before God ---- period. “ …through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses….” (Acts 13:38&39).

Paul had GOOD NEWS and it’s still GOOD NEWS today. When you become a believer in Christ, some wonderful things take place. First of all, you have the affection and acceptance of Jesus. He not only loves you, he likes you. You have the authority to use His Name to further the Kingdom of God and hinder the works of satan and you have the privilege of carrying the precious gift of the Holy Spirit within you who will lead you into all truth. Your sins are forgiven and you have begun a relationship with a real person - Jesus. You are no longer under the law of sin and death which brings bondage, but you will be under God’s amazing GRACE which brings freedom.

Perhaps the above statement that Paul made is what got him kicked out of the city. He was saying… your compliance to the Law can never make you right before God. Ouch! It’s what Christ has done ---- not what you are doing. God’s forgiveness and favor are available to you right now. It’s that simple! Just receive it.

God’s Grace, which is his divine influence upon the heart reflected in one’s life gives the freedom to rest from all our striving before God and man hoping to achieve an A+ for all our earthly effort. God’s GRACE enables us to do what we cannot do ourselves. It’s His super to our natural.

My prayer is that we too can receive this Good News. It’s not a set of do’s and don'ts. It is NOT a RELIGION, but a RELATIONSHIP with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It‘s believing in the finished work of Christ - the only one who can forgive sins and make you right before a Holy God. It’s refreshing and freeing…. Don’t let the law rule over you anymore. Let us….

“…continue in the GRACE of God.” Acts 13:43